Funkytown

Song by Lipps Inc

"Lipps, Inc." was a funk and disco band from the United States started by producer Steven Greenberg. Their moniker "Lipps, Inc." is a play on the words "Lip" and "Sync."

In the beginning, Greenberg was a solo act, a producer, and a DJ from Minneapolis, Minnesota, until he met Cynthia Johnson while auditioning singers for his song "Rock It." Afterward, Cynthia Johnson joined the project, and "Lipps, Inc." became a duo with a changing lineup of session musicians. Steven Greenberg is the one that produced and wrote and most of the group's songs.

“Funkytown was a big success. ”

It was released worldwide in more than 80 issues on the various divisions of the record label "Casablanca." It also became an instant hit worldwide, topping the charts at number one in the US, UK, Germany, Spain, Norway, France, Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Australia...

“The song was sampled and covered so many times that you couldn’t count all the appearances, although some of history’s most iconic songs used the elements from this piece.”

Funkytown was released as a single and on the band's first album, "Mouth to Mouth," as an opener. Both records were released in 1979.

“The single sold 23000 copies one day in New York. ”

This was a blast for Greenberg and an indicator that Funkytown was truly something special.

With its disco guitar riffs, Moroderish bass, electro beats, and vocal hooks, "Funkytown" might be the most recognizable song to come out of Minnesota.

It's also one of the most successful songs that have been sold in over 2 million copies worldwide and earned platinum status in the US.

Steven Greenberg did a fantastic job on the production of this piece.

“Live drums are perfectly edited, and with a beautiful round synth bass played with a Minimoog, it topped some of the most iconic Italo Disco tunes from that period. ”

Even more impressive are the crisp, clear guitar riffs, and orchestral strings recorded and mixed perfectly in the stereo field, fulfilling the hypnotic lead vocals of Cynthia Johnson.

This piece has so many original and inspiring elements like noise toms, which couldn't be heard in late 70's production.

Greenberg was a true visionary who was making and implementing fresh ideas into music production. He has proven that he’s a master at his craft.

Besides production, Steven Greenberg did backing vocals and played drums, synthesizers, percussions, and bass in Funkytown, although many more studio musicians were involved in crafting this piece. The list would be pretty big to name all of them, but more than 25 artists were involved in the production of Funkytown.

The song was mastered by a legendary mastering engineer Chris Bellman, who was already known for Donna summer's releases, Chaka Khan, Parliament, Billy Cobham, Chicago, Michael Jackson...

Funkytown is an instant classic, a tune that will last and inspire forever. It is a catchy, joyful Disco Funk that is still played on the radio and in many indies and major clubs worldwide.

Once it grows on you, you won't be able to resist its sweetness, and you'll love it every time it is played.